Half season offer for Barton

Former Claret Joey Barton, who is back training with us having seen his contract terminated by Rangers, is to be offered a short term contract until the end of the season by Burnley if the tabloids are to be believed.

Not only is he training with us, the big news that came from his BBC interview yesterday was that he’s been allowed back into the players’ WhatsApp group so is that a sign of a potential return for Joey?

Mark Lawrenson and Danny Murphy, in the Football Focus studio, both suggested it was a no brainer. Lawrenson commented that Sean Dyche was able to press the right buttons with him while Murphy pointed out just how good a player he is.

Barton was offered a deal until the end of the 2017/18 season previously but opted for his move to Scotland and now says he can’t wait for January so he can get back to playing football again.

It appears, according to the reports, that we are now prepared to offer the 35-year-olda deal until the end of this season with the promise of a review in the summer. Barton, however, would like a deal until the end of next season and said: “I’ve had big clubs picking up the phone and asking what I’m doing in January. It will be nice to get a pair of boots on again and shut a few people up.”

Barton made 38 league appearances for the Clarets last season and pointed out in interview that the Celtic defeat, the aftermath of which brought an abrupt end to his Rangers career, was the only time he was on the wrong end of a league result throughout 2016.